Courtyard House: First, kill the hypocrites, leave none alive.

Xie Wanying raised her head.

Those eyes were very bright.

"Brother Biao,"

She said, "Snake King Can is right. Let's not mess with that northerner for now."

Ruan Biao looked at her.

"temporary?"

Xie Wanying nodded.

"temporary."

She paused.

"Let's talk about it once we've gained a firm footing."

Ruan Biao smiled.

The smile was brief, revealing a set of teeth stained black by betel nuts.

"Wanying,"

He said, "You're a smart person."

Xie Wanying lowered her head.

"Brother Biao, you flatter me."

Ruan Biao stood up.

He walked to the window and looked at the flashing neon lights outside.

"Snake King Can," he said, "you'll have to find out about the arms deal for me."

Snake King Can nodded.

"Don't worry, Brother Biao."

Ruan Biao turned around.

He looked at Xie Wanying.

"Wanying, let's go."

Xie Wanying stood up, walked over, and took his arm.

The two walked towards the door.

Snake King Can and Meimei stood up to see him off.

Ruan Biao stopped at the door.

He turned around and glanced at Snake King Can.

"Snake King Can," he said, "tell me more about that Northern guy."

Snake King Can was stunned for a moment.

"Brother Biao?"

Ruan Biao looked at him.

"I want to know," he said, "who exactly is he."

Snake King Can's expression changed.

But he recovered quickly.

"Yes, Brother Biao."

Ruan Biao nodded.

Push open the door and go outside.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor.

Snake King Can stood at the door, watching the closed door, and the smile on his face slowly disappeared.

Meimei walked over and stood beside him.

"Brother Can,"

She said softly, "Brother Biao seems quite interested in that northern guy."

Snake King Can remained silent.

He looked out the window at the night sky, thinking about what Ruan Biao had just said.

"Who exactly is he?"

He didn't know either.

All he knew was that the person was terrifying.

It was so scary that it made him wet his pants.

If Ruan Biao wanted to provoke that person—

Snake King Can shivered.

He dared not think any further.

-

The entrance to the nightclub.

Ruan Biao and Xie Wanying came out.

A night breeze blew by, carrying a hint of coolness.

Xie Wanying took his arm and walked beside him.

"Brother Biao," she said softly, "do you really want to mess with that northerner?"

Ruan Biao looked down and glanced at her.

A complex light flickered in those small eyes.

"Wanying," he said, "what kind of person do you think he is?"

Xie Wanying thought for a moment.

"A very capable killer."

Ruan Biao smiled.

"They're ruthless killers," he repeated. "Do you know how many men my brother has under his command?"

Xie Wanying shook her head.

Ruan Biao said, "More than two thousand."

He looked at the night sky.

"More than two thousand people, needing to eat every day, fighting every day. Where do the bullets come from? From me. Where do the weapons come from? From Uncle Quan. Now that Uncle Quan is gone, I have to find a new way."

He paused.

"That Northman took over Tyrannosaurus Rex's territory. Tyrannosaurus Rex's territory is east of Yau Ma Tei. That place is close to the docks. The docks are where goods are transported."

Xie Wanying's eyes lit up.

"Brother Biao, you mean...?"

Ruan Biao nodded.

"If he's willing to cooperate," he said, "our goods can go through him."

Xie Wanying remained silent for a few seconds.

"What if he disagrees?"

Ruan Biao looked at her.

A cold glint flashed in those eyes.

"Disagree?" He laughed. "Then let's make him agree."

Xie Wanying felt a chill down her spine.

But she didn't show it.

She simply leaned against him and whispered, "Brother Biao, you really have a way with things."

Ruan Biao put his arm around her and walked into the night.

New World Nightclub, basement.

The door to the storage room was open, and knocking and banging sounds could be heard coming from inside.

Uncle Gui was squatting on the ground, holding a hammer, repairing a broken chair.

There were several pieces of repaired furniture piled up next to it—a table, two chairs, and a cabinet, all neatly arranged.

Sunlight streamed in through the tiny window and shone on him.

He worked very hard, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, while he hummed an unknown tune.

Footsteps came from the stairwell.

Uncle Gui raised his head.

Chen Feng walked in.

He was wearing that dark short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and cloth shoes today.

His face was expressionless, his eyes were deep and calm.

Uncle Gui quickly stood up.

"Boss!"

He put down the hammer, wiped his hands on his clothes, and put on a smile.

Chen Feng stood in the center of the storage room and looked around.

The repaired furniture, the neatly arranged tools, the spotlessly clean floor.

He nodded.

"Uncle Gui, are you settling in alright?"

Uncle Gui's eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled.

"I'll get used to it! I'll get used to it! That's great!"

He said, "Boss, you don't know, I used to do odd jobs and didn't know where my next meal would come from. Now I have food, shelter, and work; it's better than heaven!"

Chen Feng looked at him.

His eyes were calm, as calm as a stagnant pool.

"Really?" he said.

Uncle Gui nodded.

"Yes! Yes! Boss, you're too kind to me!"

Chen Feng didn't say anything.

He took a step forward.

I'm closer to Uncle Gui now.

Uncle Gui's smile froze for a moment.

It was just a fleeting moment.

Then he returned to normal.

Chen Feng looked at him.

Suddenly, he reached out his hand.

Grab Uncle Gui's hand.

Uncle Gui was stunned.

Chen Feng turned his hand over and spread it out.

Look at his palm.

That hand was rough and covered in calluses.

But the location of those calluses is different from that of ordinary workers.

The calluses on the tiger's mouth are something only people who hold knives and guns year-round will develop.

Calluses on the fingertips are something only people who frequently pull the trigger would develop.

But the most noticeable feature is the thick callus between the index and middle fingers.

That is--

Only those who hold the cards year-round have this.

The calluses unique to gamblers.

Chen Feng raised his head.

Looking at Uncle Gui.

Those eyes remained expressionless.

But Uncle Gui's back was already cold.

"Uncle Gui,"

Chen Feng spoke, his voice as calm as if he were chatting casually, "You have no chance of losing."

Uncle Gui's expression changed.

"You caused trouble at the gambling den that day, you deliberately lost, didn't you?"

Uncle Gui opened his mouth slightly.

"Boss, what did you say? I don't understand..."

Chen Feng's hand tightened.

Like iron clamps.

Uncle Gui gasped in pain.

"Ouch!"

He tried to pull his hand away, but couldn't.

Chen Feng's hand remained completely still.

He looked at Uncle Gui, his eyes fixed on him.

"You think you can fool me?"

Uncle Gui's face contorted.

It's not because of pain.

It's because of fear.

He knew this person wasn't joking.

This person has killed someone.

He has killed many people.

If he wanted his life—

"I...I'll talk!"

Uncle Gui's voice even changed tone.

"I'll talk! Boss! I'll talk!"

Chen Feng loosened his grip slightly.

But it wasn't opened up.

Uncle Gui was panting heavily.

He looked at Chen Feng, at his expressionless face, and at those unfathomable eyes.

He knew that if he didn't tell the truth today, he wouldn't be able to leave this storage room.

"Boss..."

His voice was hoarse.

"Back in Tianjin Port, I made my fortune through gambling."

Chen Feng looked at him.

He didn't say anything.

Uncle Gui continued, "When I was young, I did all sorts of jobs. Carpentry, masonry, repairs—I learned those later. But in the beginning, I made my living by gambling."

He paused.

"I've been gambling for twenty years. I know all kinds of gambling games. Pai Gow, dice, poker, mahjong, there's no game I don't know. I've made a lot of money through gambling. I'm quite well-known in the Tianjin port area."